Novel self-assembled dynamic [2]catenanes interlocked by the quadruple hydrogen bonding ureidopyrimidinone motif

Novel dynamic [2]catenanes interlocked by the quadruple hydrogen bonding ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) motif have been developed. The dynamic catenation process was due to the selective cyclization of bifunctional UPy molecules over a wide concentration range with the assistance of the cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT4+4+) macrocycle. The self-assembled [2]catenanes were stabilized by a combination of different non-covalent interactions comprising quadruple hydrogen bonding and host–guest interactions. This type of non-covalent bonded catenane is the first one interlocked by multiple hydrogen bonding interactions instead of metal–ligand interactions.